Pottery Barn Kids Model!

Here it is, December 30th.  Not even NYE but Pottery Barn is thinking spring.  I don't really mind though, as I have been anticipating Spring 2012 for about 3 months!

My daughter did a shoot for PBK back in September, or was it August?  We were told it would be in the Spring 2012 catalogue ... and it is out TODAY!

Pottery Barn Kids "Stephanie" bedroom Spring 2012

So, for all of those who wonder what a shoot is like let me give you the "inside" scoop of this shot.  (This may also appease anyone who is critical of moms who have their kids model)

The set:  This was a house in San Francisco.  A house that a family lives in, but no, this was not the bedroom.  This was the living room (I think!) For the shoot, the furniture was moved out, walls seen repainted with a BEAUTIFUL stenciling.  The lighting is hung from a separate frame.  Viola!  You have a little girl's bedroom!

Waiting for the set to be ready ...

The shoot:  We arrived and V played while all of the final touches were put into place.  She turned on the shy mode which made me a little nervous.  They gave her the outfit & pulled her hair back (that was the extent of wardrobe / hair / makeup!).  Upstairs we went.  The room was set with the jewelry box filled with costume jewels.  The crew showed V the box & told her she could play with them, try them on.  The pictures started.  She was in little girl heaven!  She was moved in a few different spots, different shots.  The studio teacher & photographer joked with her told her NOT to smile & got some genuine laughs out of her.  After about 45 minutes ... we were done & went home.

V saw the picture today and asked, "Mom, can I go back to that house?  I want to play there again!"

UPDATE 1/7:

Just got the catalogue!  Vivienne is on TWO pages.  So fun.

Birth & Baby Fair in 3 days ... with several "wrenches" thrown in

You know the saying, "it threw a wrench in my plans"?  Well, this week seems to be full of wrenches, but the more I think about it ... these wrenches are just part of my life.

I wish I could write that in three days I will be attending the Birth and Baby Fair and that this week leading up to it has been productive and smooth sailing.  100% focused on my business.  But then, there is reality.  I am a mom with a part time job.  I am a wife, housekeeper, gardener, taxi driver, secretary, and cook.  I also am new to this business world and there is a lot of hands on learning.  On top of that, I have a daughter who models.

This week has been one unexpected thing after another!   I am feeling very confident about the fair coming up on Sunday.  My friend & I are working out all of the details of our booth.  We are both very excited of the opportunities this will present to us as well as finally getting out there & selling or stuff!!  There are some last minute things I need to get done, and am using each moment to try & do them.

But like all good well planed schedules, things are going to go out of whack.  As of Monday, my Thursday was clear except for taking the kids to / from school.   Friday & Saturday I work at night, but still have the days to get things done.  Then, on Tuesday, we got a call from Vivienne's agent.  She was going to be submitted for a commercial.  Yesterday, we got the call the audition is for tomorrow (today) at 4:40 in San Francisco.  So much for my afternoon.  And now the babysitter scramble starts.  (Thank GOD for retired grandpa!)

I got some errands done after dropping Vivienne off at school (a 30 minute each way commute) and the went to pick her up.  As I pull out of the school lot I get a call "can you pick up your grandma at the hairdresser?  She is ready now."  I can't say no.  This is my dad.  My in a pinch emergency babysitter, but man, it's 12:30 & I have three kids ready for lunch.  I am 30 minutes from home, and the hairdresser is 10 minutes out of my way.  "SURE!! No problem!"  I go to pick up grandma & she tells Vivienne that the children's choir missed her last night.  I had totally forgot about Vivienne's choir practice on Wednesdays.  Then she asks if we can stop at a store or bank.  "SURE!"  I say.  Then I hear, "but Mommy, I have to go potty!"

Get home at 1:30 to feed the kids & be out the door by 3 to head to SF.

We are in the middle (or near the end) of refinancing our house & the loan processor emails ... she needs things faxed before they can progress further.  Another email informs me it is back to school "day" on Saturday at 10, no kids please.  

Fast forward to the audition.  We sit down & I look at the sign in sheet:  "Shoot is in Los Angeles.  Please list any conflicts you have for the week of Oct 10."  WHAT???  Can I write L I F E ??  (Take note of this people who think it would be cool to have your kids in modeling or acting!)

We head home on BART, which has 20 minute delays.  At dinner time the phone rings.  It is my work.  My shift for tomorrow (you know the one I had to get two babysitters for, as well as juggle cars for so my babysitter could use my car & I could still get to BART, then my parents would have the right number of car seats when they took the kids .... etc) has changed to an hour an a half later so that now I have to drive to SF & the plan we had just worked out won't work.  

Oh, and the package I HAVE to have by Sunday for the fair that I called about & it was confirmed for today's delivery???  It couldn't be delivered because someone over 21 has to be here, but if I call by 7:00 pm (it is now 7:15) I could pick it up myself tomorrow since I won't be home tomorrow to sign for it either!   Thank goodness I called & they were able to set it up for me to pick up ... but guess what?  UPS opens at 1.  Really???  Opens at 1?

My husband called me from work about 15 minutes later as the chaos / screams / tantrums / tears / of bedtime for three over tired kids was underway.  He kindly reminded me that in a few years we'll miss all of this.   I had to laugh.  Yes, I probably will.

And .... she booked!

My last modeling post was that Vivienne was put on hold about three weeks ago.  Well, it turned into an actual booking.  Hooray!

The hold was for Wednesday.  That is all I knew, no time or location.  Being the mom of three, this presents a little challenge.  I have to arrange a babysitter for my other two for any time during the day.  Fortunately, I have family who is retired near by that can usually help out.

At 4:15 pm on Tuesday, I got an email from my daughter's agent saying she still hadn't heard anything & was calling the client.  At 4:45, I got a call from the agent.  Vivienne was now on hold for THURSDAY, not Wednesday (tomorrow).  Again, no time or location.  This is a prime example of how flexible you have to be!  A reason that you need to think twice before getting your child into modeling.  Do you have this flexibility?

Wednesday evening, 4:30 pm I find out the hold has become an actual booking!  It is for Thursday, 3:00 PM in San Francisco.  This is on of those times I am grateful I have lived in "The City" as I know a lot of people who get nervous navigating their way once inside.  The only challenge:  3:00 is getting close to massive traffic trying to leave SF.  If you can get out by 4:30 it's not too bad (still a mess) but after that, gridlock city.  I have taken Vivienne to shoots that have lasted 15 minutes, to 3 1/2 hours.  I was also nervous because my babysitter had to be somewhere at 7.

Then I read the details of the shoot.  It is for a children's furnishings & accessories company.  On the paper it said, "Please bring: play clothes: light layers, sweaters, skinny jeans, cropped light pants, ballet flats.  Colors: pink, lavenders, pinks, and light blues." Now, this is where panic sets in.  The agent said not to worry too much about the clothes, but I freak out inside.  Vivienne doesn't have anything like this!  She wears: dresses, skirts and leggings.  As far as sweaters, I have nothing yet in her size now & her shoes are dark purple!  Jeans never fit her as she is a little stick!

Vivienne put this outfit together .... 

I look online at various stores to see if anyone has that "look" at a reasonable price.   H & M works.  The next day I drag all three kids into H & M for some quick shopping.  I show the list to one of the associates.  He helps me out & 30 minutes later we are on our way with some clothes.  I get home and panic again.  What if they don't have an iron there?  So I iron all of the clothes.  I think this paranoia comes from having done mostly clothing shoots.  The clothes are the main focus so the people are very concerned about lack of wrinkles etc.

Waiting for the shoot to begin.  Snacking on crakers & Orangina.

We left the house at 1:30, and headed in.  It took a little less than an hour to find the location.  The company had rented out someones house in Cole Valley (a neighborhood near the Castro district).  There was a park nearby with soccer practice going on, so we just watched that until it was closer to 3.  The studio teacher came out & got us about 2:45.  That is when I got a little nervous.  Vivienne turned on her extra shy mode.  She wouldn't say hello, wouldn't even look at the guy!!  He was great and just went with it.  He has dealt with this before and had many tricks in his bag.

We got inside & guess what?  There was an adorable outfit all ready to go, ballet flats and all.  Vivienne started warming up a bit, but was still a bit "shy" when the stylist came down to do her hair.   Then we went to the shoot.

This was the cool "behind the scenes pat for me!  They had taken a part of this persons house & repainted it in a beautiful mural to create a bedroom scene.  They said after the shoot, they put the house back together just as it was before they came.  I never knew.

They had a music box on the floor and wanted Vivienne to "just play".  Well, you don't need to tell her twice.  She loves jewelry.  After a little while, some joking with the people on set & teasing by the studio teacher (and me leaving the area) Vivienne did great.

It will be out around February / March!

She's on HOLD! ... and that means???

Photo by Jay Dixon

I got one of the fun calls today.  A go-see that Vivienne went to two weeks ago has resulted in a "hold" about two weeks from now.  This is almost like getting a job, but not really.  

When a child get puts on hold, it means that at that moment, the company wants to use your child for a shot on a particular day.  It doesn't mean that they have the job.  It means, don't make other plans for that day because they may be working.  Confusing?  Yes, a little.

A hold also means that the client may change their mind for what ever reason (only they know).  Maybe they found another kid that fits better.  Maybe that shot got canceled.  Maybe ... really, who knows?

So, two things could result.  Vivienne can either book the job (she is confirmed, working).  Or she gets released (not working).  I'm crossing my fingers she is working.  It's a fun company and I would love to see what they will be doing, especially since it isn't a clothing company.

I'll keep you posted!

I'm busy ... and what? my kids are auditioning tomorrow?

When it rains it pours.  So the saying goes.   I lived it this week, am still living it now.  It is not just a crazy busy week ... it is a really crazy busy week.

My baby is turning one next week & Vivienne is four today.   There is a party for Audrey for a few (40 - 50) friends / family at our house.  For those of you who know my family you know that this is a small, I didn't invite a lot of people, party.  Paul is working very long days until the party.  We also have house guests arriving in about an hour to stay four days.  I also am attending the San Francisco International Gift Fair Monday & Tuesday to get ideas for my business.

So, of course I get a call that Vivienne is requested for a go-see (audition) on Wednesday at 1:38 near South San Francisco.  We got the call last week, so I had made babysitting arrangements for the other two kids.  No other kids are allowed, and only one adult per child.  On Monday, I got a call that another company was interested in Audrey.  I called on Tuesday afternoon to see if anything had come of it.  Yes!  Audrey had a go-see on Wednesday ... at 12:10 in San Francisco.  Two kids, two auditions, 90 minutes apart.  I can do this.  Neither one can be at the other's audition.  So, my task ... find someone to go to San Francisco with me, sit in the car & hang out with my kids for three hours.

I don't know about you, but there is a very short list of people who are not busy on a Wednesday afternoon, have no kids, and don't mind hanging out for three hours in a car!  Fortunately, I have a wonderful family & a soon to be Aunt said she would do it!

Audition #1 Baby food company.  Audrey & I got there, filled out the paperwork.  We went into the audition room.  They were quite nice.  They wanted her to have a still picture taken, then would do a little video.  For the video, she was to:  'crawl and then grab a piece of food out of my hand and eat it while looking at the camera'  She did good, even threw in a few giggles.  Out the door at 12:45

Audition #2 Arrived at 1:00,  audition is at 1:38 - don't show up that early.  We also hadn't eaten lunch yet!  So, got out of the car (in a business park) found a little grass & ate our sandwiches.  Back to the audition at 1:33.  Went in & how fun is this??? The woman in the waiting area recognized us form this blog!  What an ADORABLE little girl she has!  Vivienne went in by herself to get her picture taken.  I walked over to try & hear.  I was asked by the photographer to come in.  Seems Vivienne was giving her "generic" smile.  I pretended to tickle her and BAM!  Big smile!

I got home & had an email ... possible work for Vivienne on Tuesday!

When it rains ... it pours.

We found out Audrey didn't get the job, which is fine.  It was for tomorrow (Friday) and I have plans already to do some sightseeing with family.  But again, such is the life ... be ready at a moments notice.

Audrey's first day ... of work!

We got an email about a week ago, a photographer was looking to film / shoot babies eating food & was interested in Audrey.  I agreed, and then proceeded to check out who this photographer was.  Well, she is not just your Academy of Art photography major looking to build her resume ... no, this lady is, well, she is the photographer for the Williams Sonoma cook books, among other things.  A lot of other things.  This made me even more excited.

Ever since Vivienne started modeling, I love going to shoots.  There is something fascinating about this world that so few people get to see.  I never knew all that was involved in getting a great shot for a magazine or ad.  I still don't know all of it, as I just see the day of the shoot, and not the pre or post production work.

There is also something a little nerve racking about being the mom of the child who is the model.  Every  mom out there knows what "picture day" is like ... there is only so much you can control.  Let me tell you, kids don't care if you are at a $19.99 promo shoot at Sears or if you are at a $$$$ big budget shoot for the pampers box.  They will still, in the end, do what they want.

Today we headed out to San Francisco to the studios of Maren Caruso.   Smooth sailing, but of course Audrey fell asleep in the car.  Got up to the studio (three story walk up ... can't believe I lived on the fourth floor of a walk up for seven years.) and was greeted by two of her assistants.

I also met a mom (of an adorable little boy) who happened to be one of the founders of the company Happy Tot organic baby food "easy organic baby food in pouches".  Can't wait to give it a try ... or have Audrey give it a try anyway.

Next it was on to wardrobe.  Here's Audrey in her HUGE diaper cover.  She was also going to be wearing a clean white bib as well.

For this shoot, they were going to do video and still pictures of babies exploring food in different forms.  First Audrey was given a bunch of whole bananas.  Then it was chopped bananas.  Finally, about two cups of banana puree.  With a little Credence Clear Water in the background, she was on her way.  (The music was my suggestion to get her a little more animated.  She was a little overwhelmed by all of the attention, not to mention four or five cameras!

Last minute high chair strap adjustments

Action!

The last picture is her being filmed with the banana puree.  Try as everyone did, she would not eat it.  She played with it, watched it pour from her hands, but not once put it to her mouth.  The kid who will eat sand ...

In the end I wish she would have been more animated like she is at home ... but ... there it was.  I hope they got the shots they were looking for.  I thank Maren & her staff for letting us be a part of that experience!

Children's Place Model!

Here it is!  The moment every parent who has a child that works as a model waits for.  The release of the ad.  This is for Children's Place and is part of their Fall 2011 line, under the baby girl / Garden Girl online.

Once your child is selected for a shoot, there are still a lot of factors that come into play before the actual ad featuring your child is released to the public.  Until that day, I am still on pins and needles wondering if the picture will even appear, and if it does curious to see what it will look like.

When a shoot is taking place, there are a lot more people there "behind the camera" than just the photographer.  I have seen as many as 8 - 10.  There is also a monitor which will show the pictures as they are being taken.  These pictures are monitored by several of the people.  These people represent the photographer, client (company) and at times a parent (who is just curious).  Everyone is looking for something that will say, "We've got the shot!"  Even though that is said, "the shot" they pick out at that moment can easily make it to the cutting room floor.

I have now realized that it is better that I not be anywhere that Vivienne can see me while she has her picture taken.  So, it is with even more anticipation that I wait for the adds.  I don't know anything more than what she was wearing.

We have had ads come out where Vivienne was the baby in the background with her back to the camera.   The first ad she did they swapped out babies and it wasn't until it printed that the parents knew which kids would be in the catalog.  When she worked for Mervyns, we were kept on set while she napped (for two hours!) so she could shoot for the cover of their ad.  When the day came for it to be released, I discovered that the whole ad campaign as it was described at the shoot was nonexistent.  It was suppose to be all about babies, with over 10 babies shooting.  None of the pictures printed.  (They announced bankruptcy several weeks later.)

When you are at the shoot you are given a general release date for the ad.  It is up to you to find it as I have yet to have a company send me anything or let the agent know it is out.  Parents scramble for newspaper ads, or as I did for this one, check online every day for the last two weeks.  We were told the pictures would come out in mid-June.  Vivienne's agent sent this to me today.  What a fun email to get!

Photography Tips

I love this picture ... but it didn't work for the portfolio.

As a mom who HAS to take my childrens' pictures often for their portfolios I love seeing tips on how the professionals do it.  I am getting better, but it is a challenge for me.  I am not a "photographer".  For every 10 pictures I submit to my girls' agent for approval I am ecstatic if she pics one.

Can you believe this one didn't make the cut?  Ok, maybe the hair is a little crazy ...

I found this link, and thought I'd share it for all of you out there who are also trying to capture those special moments.

Photography Tips from Marcy Maloy via Le Top

Happy reading & happy shooting!!

Child modeling from a mom's perspective.

Nordstom Holiday 2010

My daughter age 3 1/2 has been modeling since she was 6 months old. Her fist job was a month after we signed with JE Model in San Francisco and was for Pottery Barn. Since then, she has worked for Macy's, Mervyns, Nordstrom, Old Navy, Hannah Andersson, and the latest, Children's Place. It is a very interesting business filled with mystery for those who are interested in having their child be a model. I thought I'd write about things that people seem to be most curious about. I asked on my FB page & got a few responses as well as a few emails. So ... here are my experiences.

How did you get your daughter into modeling? By chance actually. I had a cousin who threatened me if I didn't submit my daughter's pictures to JE Model in SF. She knew someone who knew someone who they represented. I went online & followed the submission guidelines thinking that would be the end of it. They called back the next day & she was signed a week later after meeting my daughter and I.

How do I get my kid into modeling? There are several agencies in the Bay Area. We are with JE Model in San Francisco. There is Models Inc, Stars, and Marla Dell. Maybe others, but these stick out in my mind. Each of them have submission guidelines on their websites. Just follow those carefully. If they like your child's look they'll call you. I can only speak to JE, but they'll request an in person meeting to see the child's personality. Your child has to, in general, be ok with strangers and well behaved.

Do I have to pay the agency? I've kind of addressed this is other areas. but No. They get paid if and when your child gets paid. I met a mom who bought a "modeling kit" for $250 from her agency. She was surprised to see none of the other moms there had this kit ... it had hair products, wipes, and plain white diapers and some other stuff. Not $250 worth for sure.

What is the time commitment? This is a tricky one. All three of my girls are signed with the agency, though only the oldest has ever actually worked. The business in the SF Bay Area has really slowed down as companies have closed (Mervyns) or moved their shooting (Macys, Gymboree, GAP) I can tell you what is involved. You (the parent) have to keep an online portfolio updated. The agency wants to see current pictures. Think of how much a 6 month old baby changes every week! The agency wants good pictures too. So, I spend a lot of time taking, uploading & editing pictures. The agency picks only about 10% of the ones I submit ... so that is a lot of work. You have to keep their work permit updated, which is just mailing in a form once every 6 months. Then there is the actual "work" or work getting work. Most jobs, you have to go to a "go-see" or an audition. You can get a call a week before, or two days before ... something like, your child has been requested for a go see on Tuesday between 10 - 2 in San Francisco. I have been at some that take 5 minutes, other times I have waited for 3 hours. Then, if your child gets the job you find out anywhere from again 1 week to 12 hours before. Literally. The last shoot, the calls were put out at 7 pm the night before, and the location was 1 1/2 hours from my house! On a side note - when you go to anything work related, it is only the child and an adult that can be there, no siblings. Last year we went to 6 go-sees and 3 of them resulted in work. So far this year, we have done 5 go-sees, and one job.

Is all of the work last minute? In my experience, pretty much no more notice than a week out. We actually got a call last year to be in San Francisco ASAP for a shoot. The company had forgotten to call the agency about my daughter shooting that day. It was the middle of the day & I had just put my girls down for a nap. We made it & it went great. But, I was holding my breath the whole time. (I did take my other daughter that day ...)

What is the money like? It isn't a lot, so far what we have done & I don't know about things like being on a pampers box BUT generally the catalog work pays about $100 - $200/ hr with a 2 hr minimum.  If the picture has more "usage" like a clothing hang tag, the pay is higher ... around $1000.  Your agency takes 20% (and this is the ONLY money they get from you ... if someone wants you to pay them more run the other way.) This is just for the actual shoot. You are not paid for the go-sees, and you have to get to the location which can be anywhere in the Bay Area!

One of the head shots ...

What are the expenses? Aside from gas being $4 - $5 / gal and getting your child to all of the places for work & go-sees, there is a small fee every month for your child's online portfolio. After age 3, they should have professional pictures done. This can be from $200 - $450. Other than that, not much that I can think of, unless you have to miss work and want to count that.

What are the shoots like? There is no typical shoot. One she did we were in and out in 20 minutes, literally. One other time we waited for 3 hours before they shot her. Really you are at work. There are a lot of people involved to make this happen. Sometimes 20 or more. Your child is just one piece of the puzzle. Most are pretty kid friendly in that they are people who know how to work with kids. Sometimes, as kids, they are just not having it. I have seen more than a few meltdowns. Usually for smaller kids they hire a backup child in case #1 is having a bad day. That's another thing, your child could be the backup & though they get paid never get their picture taken. Yeah, you get the money but no picture.

What advise would you give? First, you have to not take it too seriously or personally. Looks are trendy and not every child has the look. It doesn't mean your child isn't beautiful or cute or the best baby ever! Especially with the lack of business in the area I was told the agencies are really picky and maybe they just have too many kids that have your child's look. Also, if you are working and don't have a flexible schedule or someone (like a grandparent) who can take your child places last minute, it is really pointless. Each job represents possibly 2 days you will miss from work. Lastly, not every kid likes it & some LOVE it. My middle daughter runs and screams at the camera. We almost stopped with my oldest when she was 2 1/2. She did not seem to like it at all. The "deciding" shoot, was a great one with a child wrangler who made it like going to a party. My daughter has enjoyed it since then. Also, it is a JOB.

Do you get to keep the clothes? People ask me this all of the time! Nope.

Another from her head shot shoot ... I got to play stylist.  

Any other questions? Post in the comments ... I'll answer. Have other experiences? Post please! I'd love to read about them!